2020 Celebration of Life in Ministry

Celebration of

Life in Ministry September 18, 2020

Dakotas Conference The United Methodist Church

Worship leaders Presiding Minister, Preacher

Bishop Bruce R. Ough, resident bishop, Dakotas-Minnesota Area

Lectors and Worship Assistants

Rev. Keith Nelson, Dakotas Conference, Board of Ordained Ministry Rev. Rebecca Trefz, executive director, Dakotas Conference Ministries Rev. Lou Whitmer, worship coordinator, Annual Conference Sessions Committee Ms. Myrna Hall, Dakotas Conference Co-Lay Leader Rev. Roger Spahr, retiring district superintendent, Southeast District

Worship Coordinators

Rev. Lou Whitmer Rev. Rebecca Trefz

Greeters and logistics

Tami Prostollo, director of administration, First UMC, Sioux Falls, SD

First UMC , staff and volunteers, Sioux Falls, SD

Visuals and Technology

First UMC, staff and volunteers, Sioux Falls, SD Doreen Gosmire, communications director, Dakotas Conference Taylor Johnson, First UMC, Sioux Falls, SD Dave Stucke, communications association, Dakotas Conference

Organist

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Marcia Klimes, First UMC, Sioux Falls, SD

Service Gathering Opening/ Processional Hymn

God of Generations

Words: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette – used with permission Music: Public Domain

God of Generations, we are all your children To your church we bring our gifts, our worship and our song.

Young and old we follow, hand in hand together: in your great love, together we are strong.

Christ, you welcomed children, called us to be like them, and received a boy’s small gift to feed a hungry crowd.

In our church’s children, may we see you working: more than our future, they are faithful now.

Spirit, freely moving, giving youth a vision By your grace young Jeremiah heard your loving call; Mary was a young one when she learned her mission: through faithful youth, you offer truth to all.

God of men and women, Helper on our journey, you have called us in our faith to grow and to mature.

May we keep on learning, worshiping, and praying, that each new day, we’ll serve you all the more.

Call to Worship Bishop: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

All: And also with you.

Bishop: Let us worship the eternal God, the Source of Love and Life who creates us; let us worship Jesus Christ, the Risen One, who lives among us; let us worship the Spirit, the Holy Fire, who renews us.

All: To God be praise in all times and places, through the grace of Jesus Christ!

Bishop: Ministry is the work of God, done by the people of God. Through baptism all Christians are made part of the priesthood of all believers, the church, Christ’s body, made visible in the world. We share in Christ’s ministry of love and service for the redemption of the human family and the whole of creation.

Therefore, I call upon all God’s people: Remember you are baptized and be thankful!

All: We affirm our baptism and our common call to ministry.

Bishop: Let us pray together: All: Eternal God, may your grace be given to all servants of your church, so that with courage and faith, we may fulfill our various ministries. Be known among us now as we worship. Re-create us into a holy community of your own people. Mold us by the breath of your Spirit, and reveal within us the face of your anointed Christ. Amen.

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A Time of Remembrance Memorial Video Presentation Candles will be lit to honor those being remembered. Complete memoirs can be found in pages 11-19 of this booklet.

Clergy Reverend William Reed Cascini (May 17, 2019) Reverend Janet Miller (June 2, 2019) Reverend John Gibson (February 28, 2020) Reverend Donald Lagge (March 21, 2020) Reverend James Persons (May 31, 2020) Reverend Glenn Lord (June 23, 2020) Reverend Kenneth Oswald (July 17, 2020) Reverend John Bushell (July 26, 2020) Clergy Spouses Barbara Voas, widow of Reverend Kenneth Voas (September 21, 2019) Royce Massingill, spouse of Reverend Elizabeth Jassmann Massingill (November 17, 2019) Barbara Hart, widow of Reverend Wesley Hart (January 25, 2020) Joyce Holmes, widow of Reverend Virgil Holmes (March 19, 2020) Murray Smith, spouse of Reverend Donna Kjoonaas (March 19, 2020) Dorothy Workman, widow of Reverend David Workman (April 9, 2020) Virginia Tarver, widow of Reverend Russell Tarver (May 1, 2020) Velma Rudolph, widow of Reverend Ervin Rudolph (June 1, 2020) Remembrance of Bishop Michael J. Coyner Bishop: Please pray with me: Gracious and Eternal God, all of creation is given by you.

All: It is by your grace and blessing these beloved ones whom we have named, shared life with us. We treasure all of our loved ones that continue to live within us.

Bishop: Hold them in your arms of mercy, as we hold them in our memory.

All: As we once again entrust them to you, may we know fully that peace and joy which is eternal life.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Congregational Song

For All the Saints

The Faith We Sing 2283 Words: John Bell 1996 WGRG The Iona Community admin. by GIA Publications, Inc Music Public Domain For all the saints who’ve shown your love

in how they live and where they move, for mindful women, caring men, accept our gratitude again.

For all the saints who loved your name, whose faith increased the Savior’s fame, who sang your songs and shared your word, accept our gratitude, good Lord.

For all the saints who named your will, and showed the kingdom coming still through selfless protest, prayer, and praise, accept the gratitude we raise.

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Bless all whose will or name or love reflects the grace of heaven above.

Though unacclaimed by earthly powers, your life through theirs has hallowed ours.

Recognition of the Retirement Class Conference Co-Lay Leader: We celebrate the faithful service represented by this class of retirees and their spouses. On behalf of the laity of the local congregations and the many persons who were reached by the ministry of these persons, we offer our deepest gratitude.

Chair of Board of Ordained Ministry: On behalf of the Board of Ordained Ministry which has received their requests, and on behalf of the Clergy Session which has granted their requests, we honor these clergy entering a retirement relationship with the Dakotas Annual Conference.

Reverend Royal Archer Reverend Arlyn Coalter Reverend Randy Cross Reverend Kermit Culver

Reverend David Heetland Reverend Bill Hoffman Reverend Ron Johnson Reverend Kris Larson

Reverend Randy Spahr Reverend Roger Spahr Reverend Jeff Vore Reverend Steve Ziebarth

Representative of Board of Ordained Ministry: Your calling has been an invitation to share in the most holy and tender moments of our lives: the sacred of the ordinary, and the power of sacred ceremony.

Together we have struggled, laughed, cried, and grown.

Congregation: You answered God’s call to walk with us through our lives. You were there in moments of life, death, hope, despair, joy, and sorrow. You steadfastly offered to us the presence of the living Christ.

Conference Co-Lay Leader: Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you shared your gifts, you sacrificed, and you learned.

Congregation: You helped us all to relate to the Good News of Jesus Christ when you held candles with us on Christmas Eve, and sang triumphantly with us on Easter morning.

Chair of Board of Ordained Ministry: You brought care and compassion to families in grief, and guided others on their journey to eternal life. In your presence we remembered that God does not abandon us.

Congregation: You reminded us that death does not have the last word. In discouragement, you reminded us that we are beloved sons and daughters of the Creator.

Bishop: Together you represent over 405 years of service in ministry. Never underestimate that which God has already accomplished through you. Continue to be true to your calling, confident of the ever-present Spirit working through your lives. Let us join in prayer together: All: Gracious God, you fill your servants with love and empower us with your Spirit. We give heartfelt thanks for the ministries of these faithful leaders, and for the ways that you have ministered to us through them. In the days that follow, make your presence known to them as they continue to love and serve you. May they, like us, continue to grow in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Used with permission and adapted from the West Ohio Conference

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Scripture Acts 3:1-10; 4:5-12 Hebrews 10:23 CEB Sermon

Proclamation

Continue the Naming

Bishop Bruce R. Ough

Offering Invitation The offering from this service is for ministerial student aid funds for the Dakotas Conference.

Prayer of Dedication Leader: Thank you, Gracious Lord, for the opportunity to share in your work in the world. May these offerings which have been given, and those which we will receive, be blessed to further your kingdom call to proclaim the Good News in word, action, and service. Bless each gift and the givers, and by your grace multiply the good they do. In the Spirit of Christ, we pray and live. Amen.

Recognition of Licensed Local Pastors We are recognizing licensed local pastors who have been newly appointed and those who have completed their educational requirements through completion from Course of Study or Master of Divinity.

Board of Ordained Ministry: We embrace the many pathways of ministry, and so we take this moment to recognize, thank, and bless those persons who have answered the call to the ministry of a licensed local pastor. The pastors appearing in our presentation began their first appointment during this year. All have completed or are in the process of licensing. We support their call and welcome them into ministry.

John Anderson, serving Spirit of Faith at Woonsocket Tia Felberg, serving De Smet and Iroquois Kimberly Hipple, serving Beach UMC at Howard Amber Laffey, serving Flandreau

Mary Morgan, serving Sterling and White Taryn Ragels, serving Fusion at Mitchell Matt Scherbenske, serving Vincent UMC at Minot

We also mark an important milestone in the ministry of the licensed local pastor—the completion of their varied educational requirements. We rejoice with those who have most recently achieved this milestone.

Derek Runge, Sioux Falls Seminary graduate Bishop: Your leadership in ministry is essential to our conference, and together we declare it: All: We are grateful for your covenant as servant leaders of God’s people. We send you, trusting that God will be generous with and through you, shaping your lives and leadership in both mysterious and concrete ways. To this we say, “Hallelujah!”

Bishop: Let us pray. We thank God for calling these persons and are grateful for their readiness to respond.

Let us join with the Apostle Paul in a charge and blessing to them: All: We pray that, according to the riches of glory, God will strengthen you through the Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. We pray with all the saints, that you may have the power to comprehend the height, depth, breadth, and width of the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge and be filled with the fullness of God. Bishop: Now to the One, who through the power at work among us is able to accomplish far more than we ask or imagine, be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus now and forever. Amen.

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Recognition of Full Membership Reverend Henry Jenkins, Extension Ministry Creech AFB, Nevada Board of Ordained Ministry: We are pleased to welcome Rev. Henry Jenkins as a clergy member in full connection with the Dakotas Conference. Deputy Wing Chaplain Jenkins is stationed at Creech AFB in Nevada.

We are blessed to have him join us as together we continue our call to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

All: Amen.

Commissioning Presentation of Persons to be Commissioned Conference Co-Lay Leader: On behalf of the laity of local congregations who have examined and approved these candidates, Representative of the Board of Ordained Ministry: and on behalf of the Board of Ordained Ministry of the Dakotas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, which has also examined and approved these candidates, Both: we present these persons to be commissioned for the work of an elder: Matthew Morrison

Joleen Pietrzak

Bishop: Sisters and brothers in Christ, these persons stand here this day, elected into conference membership and recommended for commissioning, and ordination. The Church has discerned that they are persons of sound learning and of Christian character, possessing the necessary gifts and signs of God’s grace, and believes them to be duly called to serve God in ministry. I ask you, people of God, do you trust they are called by God’s grace to be commissioned, and received as clergy members of the Annual Conference?

All: We do trust! Thanks be to God. Bishop: Will you uphold them in ministry?

All: With God’s help, we will!

The General Examination of the Candidates Bishop: Brother and sister in Christ, this is a solemn hour in your life and the life of the church. You have shared in the ministry of all the baptized and have witnessed to Christ’s call to leadership among the people of God. Serving among us as faithful disciples, you have shown gifts and graces for leading the people of God in living and proclaiming the gospel to all people.

Do you believe that you are called to the work of leadership and service among the people of God? Candidates: I do so believe.

Bishop: Do you believe in the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?

Candidates: I do so believe and confess.

Bishop: Are you persuaded that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments contain all things necessary for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ and are the unique and authoritative standard for the church’s faith and life?

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Candidates: I am so persuaded, by God’s grace.

Bishop: Will you be faithful in prayer, in the study of the Holy Scriptures, and with the help of the Holy Spirit continually rekindle the gift of God that is in you?

Candidates: I will, with the help of God. Bishop: Will you do your best to pattern your life in accordance with the teachings of Christ?

Candidates: I will, with the help of God. Bishop: Will you, in the exercise of your ministry, lead the people of God to faith in Jesus Christ, to participate in the life and work of the community, and to seek peace, justice, and freedom for all people?

Candidates: I will, with the help of God. Bishop: Will you give yourself fully to the work of God in the world and to servant leadership in the life and work of Christ’s church?

Candidates: I will, with the help of God. Bishop: Will you be loyal to The United Methodist Church, accepting its order, liturgy, doctrine, and discipline, defending it against all doctrines contrary to God’s Holy Word, and committing yourself to be accountable with those serving with you, and to the bishop and those who are appointed to supervise your ministry?

Candidates: I will, with the help of God. Bishop: To you who are being commissioned, I ask: Do you believe God has called you to the life and work of a commissioned ministry in residency?

Candidates: I do so believe.

Bishop: Will you give yourself for the work of God in the world, and to servant leadership in the life and work of Christ’s Church, trusting God to form within you the ability to lead and equip others for ministries of service in the world?

Candidates: I will.

Bishop: Will you join with others in residency for continued learning and mutual support in the practice of ministry among the people of God? Candidates: With God’s help, I will.

The Commissioning of Provisional Members Bishop: Pour out your Holy Spirit upon Matthew Morrison, Joleen Pietrzak. Send him/her to be a faithful servant leader among the people, to lead the church in service, to proclaim the Word of God, and to equip others for ministry, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Thanks be to God! Amen.

Invitation to Servant Ministry Invitation by Bishop Ough: All persons have gifts for ministry in Christ’s church, yet some are called to more specialized ministries. Servant ministry is offered in many forms, be it laity or clergy. Anyone who desires to make a commitment to servant ministry, in whatever form it may take, is invited to respond in these ways noted on the screen. If you are present in this sanctuary, and desire to respond you are welcome to come forward and pray with members of the Annual Conference.

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Congregational Song

Here I Am, Lord

UMH 593 Dan Schutte, 1981 adapt. by Carlton R. Young, 1988 1981, 1983, 1989 Daniel L. Schutte and NALR

I, the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?

I, the Lord of snow and rain, I have borne my people’s pain I have wept for love of them. They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone, give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my word to them. Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame, I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.

Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.

I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

Bishop: We thank you, Generous God, for raising up among us faithful servants for ministry in your church.

Clothe them in righteousness, and grant that we, with them, may glorify you by giving ourselves to others, through Jesus Christ our Savior who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

All: Thanks be to God! Amen.

Dismissal with Blessing

Sending Forth

Leader: Go in peace, open to the call and grace of God’s Spirit.

Bishop: The blessing of God’s unfailing love, Christ’s unceasing presence, and the Spirit’s unsurpassed gifts be with us all now and forever.

All: Amen and Amen!

Recessional Song

Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee

UMH 89 Public Domain

Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love; hearts unfold like flowers before thee, opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; drive the dark of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness fill us with the light of day!

All thy works with joy surround thee, earth and heaven reflect thy rays, stars and angels sing around thee, center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, chanting bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.

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Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest, wellspring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine; teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus which the morning stars began; love divine is reigning o’er us, binding all within its span.

Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife; joyful music leads us sunward, in the triumph song of life.

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In memory

Clergy

William Cascini 1924-2019 The Rev. Dr. William Cascini, 94, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died Friday, May 17, 2019. He requested no visitation or services. Cremation with inurnment at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska, was held at a later date.

William Mario Cascini was born on June 18, 1924, in Schenectady, N.Y. His parents, Nicola and Giovanna (di Bartolomeo) Cascini, were immigrants from Italy. He graduated from Mont Pleasant High School in Schenectady, where he earned letters in football. He was proud of his senior season, as his team was unbeaten. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky., in 1948.

Bill was received on trial by the South Dakota Conference in 1949 and served the Methodist churches at Gary-Clear Lake (1949-1951). While serving those churches, he met his future wife, Edythe Peden, a member of the Gary Church and a senior at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. They were married in 1949.

In 1951, Bill was ordained deacon and admitted into full connection by the South Dakota Conference. He and Edythe moved to Denver, Colorado, where Bill attended the Iliff School of Theology. He was ordained elder in 1953, and earned his M.Th. degree in 1953, and his Th.D. degree in 1955. Receiving both the Elizabeth Iliff Warren Fellowship and Dempster Graduate Scholarship enabled him to do further studies in sociology of religion at New York University in New York City.

There he taught sociology classes as a graduate assistant.

In 1957, Bill took a faculty position at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, where he was in extension ministries for 38 years. He taught sociology courses and eventually established the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, which he chaired for 35 years. He was the faculty advisor to the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity for 15 years. In addition to his professorship at NWU, Bill did part-time marriage, family and supportive therapy counseling in conjunction with a psychiatric practice in Lincoln for over 25 years.

Bill took retired status in the South Dakota Conference in 1989. He retired from teaching in 1995 and was honored as Jubilee Clergy by the Dakotas Conference in 1999.

Having touched the lives of more than 11,000 students in his career as a teacher, Bill and Edythe went on to establish a scholarship which is awarded each year to a student in the social sciences at Nebraska Wesleyan.

In retirement, Bill and Edythe worked with teachers of English and social services in Ostuni, Italy, in the Global Volunteer Program. He also participated in an Elderhostel archaeological dig in restoring a presidio in San Diego. They moved from their home on Wedgewood Lake to Eastmont Retirement Community in 2004.

Bill is survived by his wife, Edythe; son Wade (Marcella) of Sammamish, Washingon; daughter Janelle Herres (Michael) of Lincoln; daughter-in-law Mary (Lundy) Cascini of Lincoln; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son Brett; a brother, Anthony; and a sister, Eva, and her husband, Gene Brandt.

Janet Reed Miller 1919-2019 The Rev. Janet Reed Miller, 99, of Fargo, North Dakota, died on Sunday, June 2, 2019, at Bethany on University in Fargo. A celebration of life service was held on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the First United Methodist Church in Fargo.

Janet Ruth Reed was born

November 4, 1919, to George and Daisy (Crain) Reed at Erie, Pennsylvania, where she grew up. She earned degrees in Bible and philosophy from Westminster College at New Wilmington, Penn., in 1941, and a master’s degree in Christian education from Union Theological Seminary, a division of Columbia University at New York City, in 1946. While working as a Christian education director in Morgantown, West Virginia, she met Cecil “Bud” Miller. They were married on June 15, 1946.

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Janet served First Methodist Church in Mitchell, South Dakota, as the Christian education director while Cecil earned his degree from Dakota Wesleyan University. After Cecil’s graduation in 1950, they moved to Chicago, where Cecil went to Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, Illinois,In 1954, the family moved back to South Dakota and served Methodist churches at White-Sterling, Arlington, and Huron. In 1967, the family moved to Grand Forks, North Dakota, where they served Wesley United Methodist Church. They moved to Fargo in 1973 as Cecil was appointed Eastern District Superintendent.

Janet served as a local pastor at Fargo First and Chaffee (1977-1979) and was ordained deacon as a full-time local pastor by the North Dakota Conference in 1979. She was elected associate member in 1982, and then elder and full member in 1984. She earned her second master’s degree, a Master of Divinity, from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1984.

Janet and Cecil served as co-pastors at Valley City Epworth (1979-1984) and at Jamestown First (1984-1987). They retired

to Fargo in 1987. Janet served as Conference Council Director (1988-1989), and she and Cecil served Arthur-Hunter-Erie (1988-1992) and Casselton-Leonard, before returning to Fargo.

Janet valued her work with United Methodist Women, Church Women United, P.E.O., AAUW, AAUW Book Club, FM Area Music Club, the Board of Native American Christian Ministry, the YWCA, and her First United Methodist Church Seekers Sunday School group. She was a champion for peace with justice and equality for all purposes and peoples.

She was survived by her children: David Miller of Regina, Saskatchewan, Sue (Al) Goehring of Wimbledon, North Dakota, and Peter Miller of Cincinnati, Ohio; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Daughter Sue died on December 29, 2019.

Janet was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Cecil F. Miller, on June 4, 2001; two sons: Marcus and Art; a daughter-in-law, Deb Miller; a brother George Reed; and a sister Catherine Reed.

John Gibson 1933-2020 The Rev. John Gibson, 86, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away Friday, Feb. 28, 2020.

Raymond John Gibson, Jr. was born to R. J. “Hoot” Gibson and Vera Jane (Peterson) Gibson on April 16, 1933, in Salem, South Dakota. He graduated from Custer High School in 1951, and South Dakota State College at Brookings, South Dakota, in 1955.

John married Anita Palma Frye on August 14, 1955. He attended Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, Ill., graduating in 1958.

During and following seminary, John served churches in Oak Park, Illinois, Brown Deer, Wisconsin, Selby-Mobridge, South Dakota, and Rapid City, South Dakota. In 1974, he was appointed to a specialized ministry with the Ecumenical Institute/Institute of Cultural Affairs where he served as Executive Director of field offices in Green Bay, Wisconsin; Sungai Lui, Malaysia; Cincinnati, Ohio, and Indianapolis, Indiana.

In 1999, he was a candidate for mayor of Indianapolis on an independent ticket. He was honored as Jubilee Clergy by the Dakotas Conference in 2004.

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John co-founded Earth Charter Indiana, served as its Executive Director from 2003 to 2011, and coordinated its decade-long Indiana Bicentennial Initiative Sustainable Indiana 2016, which included co-editing the “Explore Sustainable Indiana: Hoosier Solutions to the Climate Crisis” book. He served on several non-profit Boards including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Multi-Service Center, Mapleton Fall Creek Neighborhood Association, Mid-North Church Council, Training, Inc. and Community, Faith and Labor Coalition. John’s purpose-driven life as a pastor, visionary and social-justice advocate inspired many. He was the recipient of NUVO’s 2010 Cultural Vision Lifetime Achievement Award, the Hoosier Environmental Council’s 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award, and recognized as a 2019 Hoosier Resilience Hero by the Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute.

Anita passed away Dec. 16, 2011. In 2018, John exchanged vows with Joyce Flight, his lifelong friend.

John is survived by his second wife, Joyce; two sons: Paul (Kathy) Gibson and Steven (Susan) Gibson; one daughter, Ruth (David) Clark; two grandchildren; two sisters: Judy Voss and Jane (Bob) Andrews; one brother, Joseph (Hartini) Gibson; one sister-in-law, Zilpha Gibson; and many other extended family members, dear friends, and colleagues.

Donald Lagge 1937-2020 The Rev. Donald Lagge, 82, of Arvada, Colorado, died on Saturday, March 21, 2020.

Donald Delmar Lagge was born Aug. ust 12, 1937, at the home of his parents, Carl and Johanna (Weisser) Lagge, on their farm south of Tripp, S.outh Dakota.

He was the third of 10 children. Both parents died young, leaving Don and his sister Hilda to care for their five youngest siblings.

As he grew up, Don worked as a shop sweep and as a pinsetter at a bowling alley. He worked for farmers in the Tripp area and at the Tripp Creamery. During summers, he worked with the youth group at the Pierre Methodist Church.

Don attended Tripp High School, graduating in 1955. In 1956, he joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Lackland, Texas. He then was stationed in Korea, Japan, and finally Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was honorably discharged in 1960.

While attending Southern State Teachers College in Springfield, South Dakota, Don lived at Gayville, South Dakota, and served as student supply pastor at Gayville and Volin Methodist churches (1964-1966). After earning his teaching degree, Don began studies at Iliff Seminary in Denver, Colo.

He was ordained deacon and admitted on trial by the South Dakota Conference in 1967.

While serving the Methodist Church in Eagle, Colo., he met Sandra Sue Carter. They were married on May 22, 1967, and had three children, Candace “Candee” Luanne, Samuel Scott, and Joshua Ryan.

Don and family moved to Vail, Colorado, where he served as a police officer for the Vail Police Department. He ran the operations for the Lion’s Head Gondola Lift, while serving the Methodist Church there.

In 1968, Don requested to be discontinued by the South Dakota Conference. He was readmitted as a probationary member in 1972. In 1973, Don completed his studies and received a bachelor’s degree in science and master’s degree in theology from Iliff Seminary. He was ordained elder and made a

full member in 1976.

Don served United Methodist churches in South Dakota at White, Sterling and Aurora (1973-1977), Custer-Fall River Larger Parish (1977-1987), Belle Fourche (1987-1990), and Philip, Philip Presbyterian and Interior Presbyterian (Nov. 25, 1990-2000).

After retiring in 2000, he served at Stickney (2000-2007).

While in Hot Springs, Don was the president of the Ministerial Association and worked as a chaplain at the VA Hospital. An article written about Don called him a “Pioneering Preacher,” and told of his flamboyant style, riding a horse between three different congregations to preach each weekend and once preaching a sermon from a rooftop.

Don and Sandra divorced in 2001, after 34 years of marriage.

He moved to Colorado to be near his sons. Don continued to minister within the community, preaching at three retirement communities each Sunday. He served alongside staff at Hillside Community Church in Golden, Colorado, for several years, as chaplain for the elderly. He was recognized as Jubilee Clergy by the Dakotas Conference in 2014, for 50 years of ministry.

Don was athletic, wrestling in college, breaking horses, and playing football. He was an avid hunter, loved gardening, and was known for shoveling snow in shorts and a tee-shirt He is survived by his children: Candee and husband Myles Staman of Crawford, Nebraska, Scott and wife Sheri Lagge of Arvada, Colorado, and Josh and wife Heather Lagge of Lakewood, Colorado; five foster-daughters: Tammy Hermstad of Gillette, Wyoming, Colleen and husband Greg Stratton, Chantel and husband Beau Hudelson, and Kelsie and husband Michael Roby, all of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Barbara Soares of Belo Horizonte, Brazil; four grandchildren; two great grandchildren; two brothers: Rich and wife Robin Lagge of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Ben and wife LuAnn Lagge of Corsica, South Dakota; three sisters: Helen Tiede of Winterset, Iowa, Hilda Benne of Oakland, Nebraska, and Sandy Abney of Sioux Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by three brothers: Allen, Norris and Loren Lagge; one sister, Shirley Bourelle; a sister-in-law Diane Justice; and father-in-law Samuel Fenno Carter, who was like a second father to him.

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James Persons 1948-2020 The Rev. James Persons, 71, of Deadwood, South Dakota, died Sunday, May 31, 2020, at his home in rural Pennington County.

James Byron Persons was born on December 3, 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Robert and Lucille (Skrief ) Persons. He graduated from West High School in Minneapolis in 1966 and went on to attend Dakota Wesleyan University at Mitchell, South Dakota. He graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology, with minors in English and sociology. He then attended the Iliff School of Theology at Denver, Colorado, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1973.

James married Eileen Rieck on Sept. 9, 1972.

Dakota Conference of The United Methodist Church and ordained deacon in 1971. He was ordained elder and admitted into full connection in 1974.

James and Eileen served United Methodist churches in the South Dakota Conference and then the Dakotas Conference at Huron First (1973-1975), Conde-Andover (1975-1979), Rapid City Knollwood Heights (1979-Dec. 1984), Clark-Garden City (Jan. 1, 1985-1990), Madison (1990-1996), and Grand Forks Wesley (1996-2001). He then served as Northwest District Superintendent (2001-2004) and Southwest/Prairie Hills District Superintendent (2004-2009), before serving Mitchell First (2009-2012). James retired in 2012, and he and Eileen moved to the Black Hills.

James is survived by his wife, Eileen, of rural Deadwood; and a brother, John (wife Nancy), of Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

James was admitted as a probationary member of the South

Glenn Lord 1930-2020 The Rev. Glenn Lord, 89, died Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at District Heights, Md., surrounded by his family.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Pope Funeral Home in District Heights, with the Rev. Esther Holimon and the Rev. William Herche officiating. Burial was at Silent Vale Cemetery in Maine Township, rural Underwood, Minn., with a graveside service on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

Glenn Ira Lord was born on July 13, 1930, in Britton, South Dakota, to Ira and Sarah Catherine Lord. He was the product of blended families and had many siblings. Glenn graduated from high school in Miltonvale, Kansas, and worked his way through college, taking time off to earn money by working on the Montana-Dakota Utilities pipeline in western North Dakota and eastern Montana.

His first pastorate was a student charge in 1952 at Rice, Kansas He was appointed to serve full-time at Upland, Indiana, in 1956, for the Church of the Nazarene. He was ordained by the Church of the Nazarene on Sept. 10, 1959.

After graduating in 1960 from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, his first full-time church as

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an ordained elder was First Church of the Nazarene in St. Paul, Minnesota. At his next charge, in Coffeyville, Kansas, at the First Church of the Nazarene, he met Kaye Conrad. They were married on May 30, 1966.

Glenn then served churches of the Nazarene in Scottsbluff and Omaha, Nebraska; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Mound City, Missouri. He was admitted as a probationary member by the North Dakota Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1981 and elder and full member in 1984. He served North Dakota churches at Edgeley (Dec. 1980-Oct. 1988) and Carrington Federated-Heaton UCC (Oct. 1988-1994).

Glenn retired from the Dakotas Conference in 1994 but continued to preach, serving Maine Presbyterian Church in rural Underwood, Minnesota. The lake country of Minnesota was home, and he was happiest when he was out on the lake fishing. He was honored as Jubilee Clergy, for 50 years in ministry, in 2010.

Glenn is survived by his wife of 54 years, Kaye; their three children: Glenn Jr., Sherry, and Ryan; and two grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Catherine Lord; siblings: Elva, Lucy, Charles, Lynn, Miles, Lela, Eileen, and Estill Lord; brothers: Francis, Gordon, and Jerome Roget; and his baby sister Betty Catherine Lord.

Kenneth Oswald 1934-2020 The Rev. Kenneth Oswald, 85, passed away Friday, July 17, 2020, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. Due to coronavirus pandemic restrictions, a private graveside service was held for immediate family. A memorial service was planned for a later time.

Kenneth George Oswald was born on August 13, 1934, in Lethbridge, to George and Mary (Morden) Oswald. He was the second of ten children. Ken developed an early aptitude for auto mechanics and a love for Dodge cars while working with his brothers and dad at the family garage. In his early teens, he was recognized by the Boy Scouts Association of Canada for his quick thinking and actions in rescuing two girls from drowning in the coulee north of Warner, Alberta.

Ken began his career working at the Bank of Commerce but realized that his passion was the ministry. He earned his education at Hillcrest Christian College. Ken married Florence Ostby, the girl next door, in July 1959, and served the Arnprior, Ontario, Methodist Church (1959-1962).

He returned to school, earning his B.Ed. degree at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Ken and Florence then

returned to Hillcrest Christian College, where they both taught (1966-1968). After being licensed to preach in 1960, Ken was ordained elder by the Northwest Canada Conference in 1967.

Ken was received by transfer as a full member of the North Dakota Conference on Jan. 1, 1969. He served United Methodist churches at McClusky-Mercer (1968-1973), Streeter-Medina (1973-1978), and Wimbledon-Kensal (1978-1980). He then transferred to the South Dakota Conference and served at Plankinton-Mount Vernon (1980-1983), Olivet (1983-1992), and Eureka (1992-2000).

Kind and soft-spoken, Ken was committed to the service of others. Highlights of his career included involvement at Lehr Camp, working with hospice programs, and mission trips to Haiti and Israel. In 2009, he was honored as Jubilee Clergy, for 50 years of service in the ministry, by the Dakotas Conference.

After retiring in 2000, Ken and Florence settled in Lethbridge to be near family and friends. He continued to volunteer his time, providing pastoral care.

Ken is survived by his children: Lavine (Alex Shapiro) and Lowell (Bonnie); and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, on January 25, 2008; and his parents.

John Bushell 1935-2020 John R. “Bud”, 84, of Springfield, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2020 in Oakwood Village, in Springfield, New Jersey.

Rev. Bushn A memorial mass was held Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Springfield, New Jersey. His cremains were then shipped to New Jersey for burial.

John R. “Bud” Bushell was born on Aug. 3, 1935, in Mt. Ephraim, N.J., to John A. and Verna (Green) Bushell. He attended schools in Camden, N.J., and then served in the U.S. Army for six years.

Bud married Stella (Humphreys) Ballinghoff in April 1966, at St. George’s Wesley Methodist Church in Camden, New Jersey She died in 2004.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Rutgers University in 1972, and his Master of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist College at Philadelphia in 1976.

Bud was ordained deacon in 1971, probationary member in 1973, and elder and full member in 1977 by the Southern New Jersey Conference. After serving United Methodist churches in New Jersey at New Sharon, Camden, Cross Keys and Trenton, he transferred to the North Dakota Conference in 1989. He served Harvey-Martin-Chaseley from 1989 to 2000, when he retired from the Dakotas Conference.

Survivors include his wife, Kay Benston; eight stepchildren: Muriel, Robert, Thomas, Joseph, Debbie, Barbie, Aimee and Robert; two sisters: Jacqueline and Verna; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Bud was preceded in death by two stepsons: Phillip and Donald.

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In memory

Clergy Spouses

Barbara Voas 1926-2019 Barbara Voas, 92, widow of the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Voas, died Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, at Fort Collins, Colorado. A funeral service was held Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, at the United Methodist Church in Clark, South Dakota. Interment was at Prairie Valley Cemetery in Raymond, South Dakota, next to her beloved husband.

Barbara Nancy Howard was born on Sept. 30, 1926, to Guy and Esther (Thorne) Howard in Midland, South Dakota. During the straits of the Great Depression, her family moved frequently and lived for several years in a sod house near Wanblee, South Dakota. She graduated from high school in Onida, South Dakota, and from Huron College, Huron, South Dakota, with a degree in education.

It was at Huron College where Barbara met her future husband, Kenneth Voas. They were married on Aug. 24, 1948, at Huron. She was a schoolteacher, and taught in schools at Lake Preston and Bryant, South Dakota; Pana, Illinois.; Clark, Garden City, Rapid City and Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Barbara assisted Kenneth in serving Methodist and United Methodist churches in Owaneco, Illinois; in South Dakota at Clark, Raymond, Garden City, Rapid City First, and Sioux Falls Sunnycrest; and in North Dakota at Wahpeton and Williston.

She loved music, theater and the arts, the outdoors, and literature. She was known for her smiling grace and good humor.

Barbara is survived by seven children: Charles (Kimberly Price) of Garland, Texas; Raleigh (Rebecca Warren-Voas) of Fort Collins, Colo.; Rita Voas DeZurik (Jeff Kussard) of St. Paul, Minnesota; Jeremy (Maaike Stienstra) of Phoenix, Arizona; Stanley (Marie Markow) of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Brenda McGahagin (Ralph) of Austin, Texas; and Peter (Anne) of Chanhassen, Minnesota; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Rita Meyer, of John Day, Oregon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth, on March 25, 2009; her parents; two sisters: Vernita and Margaret; two brothers: James and Bernard; two daughters-in-law: Cindy Logan Voas and Salle Leech Voas; and son-in-law Mike DeZurik.

Royce Massingill 1948-2019 Royce Massingill, age 70, spouse of the Rev. Elizabeth Jassmann Massingill, passed away Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at his home in Selby, South Dakota.

A celebration of his life was held on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at the United Methodist Church in Selby.

Royce Lonnell Massingill was born on Dec. 6, 1948, in Dallas, Texas, to Royce F. and Peggy (Lewis) Massingill. After a first career as an electrician, he joined the Dallas Police Department in 1983. He retired as a senior corporal and field training officer in 2001.

Royce loved protecting and serving his community, and he was proud to be a part of the police department.

Royce married Mary Elizabeth Jassmann in 1984 in Texas.

Together, they served United Methodist churches in the

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Dakotas Conference at Edgemont-Pringle, McClusky-GoodrichChaseley, and Selby-Mobridge.

He was a generous person who could be counted on to help those who were vulnerable and in need around him, while also working for justice. He was a Packers fan, loved country music and long road trips to see family, and enjoyed watching movies with his kids and grandsons.

Royce is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, of Glenham, South Dakota; his five children: Paul (Amber), Summer, Emily, Joshua, and Jasmine; three grandsons; his father; and two brothers: Larry (Beverly) Massingill, and Woody (Debra) Massingill and their families.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Zachary; his step-mother, Jean Massingill; and two brothers: Tony Zachary and Mark Zachary.

Barbara Hart 1943-2020 Barbara Hart, 76, widow of the Rev. Wesley Hart, passed away at her home in Fargo, North Dakota, on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020. Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020, at West Funeral Home Chapel in West Fargo, N.D. Interment was at Wheatland Cemetery in Wheatland, North Dakota.

Barbara E. Marshall was born Dec. 30, 1943, in Fargo, to Kenneth and Ruth (Mosher) Marshall.

She graduated from high school at Buffalo, North Dakota, in 1962. She loved children and did a lot of babysitting. Because of her love of children, Barbara attended Valley City College to become a teacher. Following graduation in 1966, she taught for two years in Carrington, North Dakota, followed by 27 years of teaching at Little Falls, Minn.

Barbara was united in marriage to Wesley Hart in 1995. The couple moved to Onida, South Dakota, and served at OnidaAgar (1995-1998). After Wesley’s retirement in 1998, they moved to Fargo.

Barb enjoyed visiting and playing board games and cards, along with a cup of coffee and sweets. She was a strong supporter of the YWCA and helping the youth.

She is survived by a stepson, Shane (Celeste) Hart, of Parshall, North Dakota; two step-grandsons; two brothers: Ronald (Mary Ann) Marshall and Craig (Kathy) Marshall, both of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and a brother-in-law, John McMillen, of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.

Barb was preceded in death by her husband, Wesley, on Oct. 17, 2013; her parents; and a sister, Joan McMillen.

Joyce Holmes 1918-2020 Joyce Holmes, 101, widow of the Rev. Virgil Holmes, died Thursday, March 19, 2020, at Glendive, Montanan. Memorial services were held at a later date in Kindred, North Dakota, with burial in the Leonard Cemetery at Leonard, North Dakota.

Joyce J. Armstrong was born on Aug. 20, 1918, in Sherwood, North Dakota, to Henry John and Minnie Alvida (Lindholm) Armstrong. She was raised and educated in the Sherwood area and received her early education from the Hamerly Elementary School. She later graduated from Mohall High School in Mohall, North Dakota.

After high school, Joyce worked in Minot, North Dakota, at a boarding house and did housekeeping and childcare for another family. She met Virgil Holmes at Epworth League Bible Camp in 1935, and they were married on Aug. 2, 1938, in Mohall.

The couple remained in Minot for a few years before moving to Lansford, North Dakota, where they farmed until

1946. Then they moved to Portland, Oregon, where Virgil attended Cascade College. After Virgil received his degree, they returned to North Dakota and served the congregations of Norman / Columbus, Strkweather / Edmore / Hapden, Drayton / Bowesmont, Mohall / Sherwood / Tolley, and Casselton / Absaraka.

Joyce and Virgil moved to Leonard after he retired in 1979.

Virgil passed away in 1988. Joyce remained in Leonard until 2016, when she moved to Glendive to be with her daughter.

Joyce always had beautiful flower beds. She enjoyed reading and started every day with her bible and devotions. She made her first quilt in her late 70s. Joyce was an inspiration to her family and friends with her beautiful smile and positive attitude for life.

Joyce is survived by her son, Gordon Holmes of Richfield, Minnesota; her daughter, Joan (Ron) Haugeberg of Glendive; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; one greatgreat-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil; four siblings: June Bauer, Audrey Roth, John “Jack” Armstrong, and Virginia Carlton; and her daughter-in-law, Judy Holmes.

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Murray Smith 1939-2020 Murray Smith, 80, husband of the Rev. Donna Kjonaas, of Orono, Minnesota, died Thursday, March 19, 2020, at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, due to complications of Parkinson’s disease.

Services were held at a later date.

Murray married Donna Kjonaas in January 1995, and they lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Fargo, North Dakota, spending several winters at Sanibel, Fla. They enjoyed many adventures traveling, tandem biking, sipping wine and sharing stories with each other. Two years ago, they made their home in Orono.

Murray Thomas Smith was born June 7, 1939, to Rex and Frances (Lentz) Smith in Hudson, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Hudson High School in 1958. He earned his associate degree in accounting at Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield, South Dakota.

His favorite activities related to cars, bicycles, good food, and cribbage. He especially loved British sports cars, with his favorite being the MGT series. Many happy memories were from car clubs he belonged to with his beloved MGTD. He also enjoyed years of biking in a variety of locations around the country. When living on Sanibel, he became familiar with the bike trails on the island and enjoyed his bike group there.

In 1959 he married Diane Cramer. They had three children.

Murray is survived by his wife of 25 years, Donna; three children: Lisa Bass (Robert) of Orono, and Tom Smith and Amy Parrish, both of Boise, Idaho; four grandchildren; three siblings: Rodney (Marie) Smith of Gering, Nebraska, Gene (Ann) Smith of Sioux Falls, and Denise Van’t Hof (Doug) of Hudson, South Dakota; a sister-in-law, Geraldine Smith of Hawarden, Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Murray began his career in the long-haul trucking industry as a teenager. Starting as a driver, he worked at various companies in inventory control, dispatch, terminal and operations management, then as vice president of operations. In 1983 he was named President and CEO of Midwest Coast Transport (MCT) in Sioux Falls, retiring from that position in 2004. Over Murray’s tenure, MCT received state and national awards for safety, along with multiple Carrier of the Year awards from Target, 3M, Oscar Meyer, and Nabisco.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Jerome.

Dorothy Workman 1927-2020 Dorothy Workman, 92, of Vermillion, South Dakota, widow of the Rev. David Workman, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2020, at Sanford Vermillion Care Center in Vermillion. Memorial services were planned for a later date.

Dorothy Eileen Allison was born on June 9, 1927, in South Dakota, to Andrew and Esther (Johnson) Allison.

The family lived at Bruce, South Dakota, where Andrew worked as a teacher; and then in New Jersey, where her younger sister, Margaret, was born; and at Kenmore, New York, where Andrew worked as a chemist for the Department of Agriculture.

Dorothy married David Lowell Workman on June 18, 1949, at Brookings, South Dakota. After David graduated with his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in 1951, he and Dorothy returned to the Workman family farm north of Brookings. During their five years there, daughters Margaret and Kristen were born.

To pursue an early dream, David went to Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey, graduating in 1958. The family then moved to Iowa, where David served Goodwill Industries at Sioux City.

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Son Allen and daughter Eileen were born during David and Dorothy’s years in South Dakota, serving at White RiverMission-Wood and Beresford. The family then went to Vietnam, where David served as a missionary from 1969 to 1971.

They returned to South Dakota, where they served several charges through the years, including Claremont-Hecla, Elk Point, and Brookings. Dorothy earned her master’s degree in counseling in 1975, and worked as a mental health counselor.

David retired in 1992, and he and Dorothy Dee, as she was referred, moved to Vancouver, Washington. After David’s death Aug. 3, 2003, at Vancouver, Dorothy decided to pursue an early dream of becoming a writer. She enrolled in a creative writing course at Clark College in Vancouver. Some of her haiku were published in “Elderberry Wine, Vintage 2010: Writings from the Mature Learning Creative Writing Program.”

An excellent conversationalist, Dorothy was well-traveled and creative. During many trips to Japan to visit her eldest daughter, she developed a love of haiku. She visited Iceland with friends, traveling throughout the country by tour bus.

After more than 20 years in Vancouver, Dorothy returned to South Dakota, living at North Sioux City, Sioux Falls, and finally, Vermillion.

Virginia Tarver 1932-2020 Virginia Tarver, 87, widow of the Rev. Russell Tarver, died Friday, May 1, 2020, at the Good Samaritan Society-Prairie Creek retirement facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, following a bout with cancer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no services were planned at the time.

Virginia Lee Harper was born on June 28, 1932, in Monmouth, Illinois, the only child born to Dorothy (Jamison) Harper and L. Lee Harper. She graduated from Washington High School in Sioux Falls in 1950.

While a freshman art student at South Dakota State College in Brookings, South Dakota, Jinny met Russell Tarver, who became her “prince charming” for 63 years. They were married on June 14, 1953.

Russ served Methodist and United Methodist appointments in the South Dakota and Dakotas conferences at Sioux Falls Asbury, Chester-Colton, Wesley Foundation, Brookings, Vermillion, Huron (Northern District Superintendent), Vermillion (University of South Dakota), McCook Lake, and

Sioux Falls Southern Hills. Jinny served with him for several years in campus ministry at USD, 1981-1990.

Jinny earned an Ed.D. degree in educational psychology from USD at the age of 62. She was active in the League of Women Voters, Women’s National Political Caucus, United Methodist Women and the National Organization of Women. She particularly enjoyed being a part of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women. She was one of the delegates from South Dakota to the Inter-National Women’s Year Celebration in Dallas, Texas, in 1976. Facilitating feminist spirituality retreats for the Dakotas COSROW for many years was a rewarding experience for her.

Jinny is survived by her five children: Dr. Shari Tarver Behring (John) of Canyon Country, California; Dr. David Tarver (Donna Devine) of Seattle, Wash.; Genell Grow (Richard, deceased) of Rainier, Oregon; Paula Leckey (Eric), and Lee Tarver, all of Mesa, Arizona; nine grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Russ, who died May 2, 2014.

Velma Rudolph 1922-2020 Velma Rudolph, 97, of Aurora, Colorado, formerly of Watertown, South Dakota, passed away on Monday, June 1, 2020, at Aurora. She was the widow of the Rev. Ervin Rudolph. Funeral services were held Friday, June 19, 2020, at Wight and Comes Funeral Chapel, followed by graveside services at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown, with retired local pastor Marlyn Kuper officiating.

Velma Caroline Bunse was born on Oct. 28, 1922, in Cosby, Missouri, to Henry H. and Clara C. (Schneider) Bunse. She grew up on a farm near Cosby. Velma attended Prairie Valley Grade School and graduated from Savannah High School in 1939. She earned her elementary teaching diploma in 1944 at Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa.

On June 15, 1945, Velma married Ervin Rudolph at Zion Methodist Church in Cosby.

Ervin attended Evangelical Theological Seminary in Naperville, Illinois where he obtained his theological degree.

He and Velma served Evangelical, Evangelical United Brethren,

and United Methodist churches at McClusky and Elgin, N.D.; Eldena, Illinois; Drake and Sheldon-Enderlin, N.D.; and Big Stone City-Revillo, South Dakota.

Velma was an elementary school teacher in Big Stone for more than 20 years. Ervin was manager of Big Stone Camp from 1968 to 1982. He retired in 1983, and they moved to Watertown.

Velma and Ervin had been married 57 years when he died May 1, 2003, from leukemia. To be closer to her family, Velma relocated to Denver, Colorado, in 2008.

She was a member of Cornerstone United Methodist Church and was active in her church, at church camps and as a Bible study leader. She enjoyed teaching school, piano lessons, volunteering and reading.

Velma is survived by her children: Bruce (Mary) Rudolph of Aurora, Dennis (Deanna) Rudolph of Billings, Mont., and Rodell (Shelly) Rudolph of Niwot, Colo.; her siblings: Jewell (Laveta) Bunse of St. Joseph, Mo., and Mae (Robert) Bermond of Easton, Mo.; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin; her parents; her sister, Ruth (Bob Lind); and one grandson.

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In memory

Bishop

Bishop Michael J. Coyner Bishop Michael Coyner, died January 8, 2020. He served as the resident Bishop for the Dakotas Area from 1996 to 2004.

Reverend Dwight Meier worked side-by-side with Coyner as a district superintendent and also as the assistant to the Bishop. Meier saw Bishop Mike as a leader filled with grace and kindness, and a keen sense of humor.

“He was so full of grace and kindness. I enjoyed working with him. He openly listened to anyone,” says Meier. “I really enjoyed his sense of humor. He was pretty sharp and could catch you off guard. The Dakotas landscape fascinated him.”

Naomi Bartle, who worked as Bishop Coyner’s administrative assistant, remembers Coyner as a leader with a strong work ethic, a person who would get things done. “I loved working with Bishop Mike. We both liked to get things done. We just clicked that way,” says Bartle. “He was a leader with a great mind and a great soul. He loved The Church.”

In the spring of 1997, the Red River Valley in North Dakota experienced devastating flooding. Rev. Doug Diehl, currently retired, served as the pastor at Zion UMC in Grand Forks during the flood and later as a district superintendent. He remembers the leadership, presence, and support from Bishop Coyner.

“The flood was overwhelming to the people of Grand Forks and me,” says Diehl. “Bishop Coyner constantly checked in with me, provided me support and encouragement. He had the Minnesota and Dakotas cabinet come to Grand Forks and help.”

Meier recalls the effort that Bishop Mike made to have the conference trustees build a warehouse in Fargo during the flood. “He asked the trustees to build a warehouse to serve the people of the Red River Valley. It was a great support to everyone, a place to collect and distribute donations during the flood. All denominations used the distribution center. The work could not have gotten done without the warehouse and Bishop Mike’s leadership,” says Meier.

Diehl describes the warehouse as a lifesaver. “We needed a distribution center, and he made it happen. He also got people in place to assist me and many others.”

Reverend Howard Grinager, who serves as interim pastor of First United Methodist Church in Brookings, South Dakota, served as a district superintendent for three years with Bishop Coyner, says, “He had a strong desire to see churches grow. He

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wanted to equip the churches and give them tools for ministry.

I really respected how he wanted the churches to do the ministry that God was calling them to do,” says Grinager.

Several clergy that served on the cabinet during Coyner’s tenure in the Dakotas noted that he had a high level of trust for the cabinet members and clergy. He empowered the leaders around him.

Reverend Penny Eberhart, who served as the superintendent for the Central District for three years, says, “Bishop Coyner built collegiality and comradery. He empowered us to do our work and trusted that we would.

Reverend Art Scanson, who served as the superintendent for the Northwest District when Coyner was the resident Bishop for the Dakotas, shares, “He was so personable. You knew he cared about you and for you. Clergy felt cared for under his leadership. Bishop Mike was great at celebrating the successes of everyday life. But he also recognized you for the tough decisions and struggles.

In 2004 Bishop Coyner was assigned to the Indiana Area.

There, he served three four-year terms and oversaw the merger of the North and South Indiana Conferences in 2010 into a single regional body. In 2012-16, he also was board president of the General Council on Finance and Administration, the denomination’s finance agency. He retired in 2016.Coyner kept in contact with many of the people he met in the Dakotas.

He and his wife Marsha hosted many visitors in their home in Indiana. He made several trips back to the Dakotas and kept connected electronically.

He served churches of various sizes in the North Indiana Conference, served as a District Superintendent, and was also the Executive Assistant to the Bishop. He was elected a bishop of the United Methodist Church in 1996 and was assigned to serve the Dakotas Area, where he served two terms.

He is the author of several articles and three books from Abingdon Press: Making a Good Move: Opening the Door to an Effective New Pastorate (1999), Prairie Wisdom: Reflections on Life in the Dakotas (2000), and The Race to Reach Out: Connecting Newcomers to Christ in a New Century (2004).

Bishop Mike also wrote a weekly e-mail devotional article entitled “An E-pistle from Bishop Mike,” which was sent to hundreds of pastors and laity in the Indiana Area and beyond.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha England Coyner, his daughter Laura Coyner Peace (Adrian), his son Steve and his five grandchildren: Ashlee Rodriguez, Brianna Peace, Austin Peace, Leah Coyner, and Alec Peace.

Bishop Mike and Marsha Coyner pose for a photo during a Dakotas Annual Conference. Photos courtesy of Dakotas Conference Archivist, Laurie Langland.

Bishop Coyner, center, ordains Rev. Timothy Eberhart.

Bishop Coyner baptizes the child of a Dakotas Conference clergy member during a annual conference worship service.

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Retirees Royal Archer A native of Texas, Royal Archer, grew up in the Nazarene church as a preacher’s kid. Being a rebellious child, he rejected Christianity. It wasn’t until Archer got to college that he began to feel the pull of God on his heart. In November 1971, he accepted Christ into his life.

He was influenced by his extended family, of whom many were pastors.

The person who had the most significant impact was his wife, Shari. She was an extremely caring woman who showed him what it was to be Christlike. As he grew with her, he became more servant-like in his life and ministry.

If Rev. Archer could give one bit of advice to people during this whirlwind of chaos in our world, he would say, “You gotta wait on God.” Even though we are sometimes scared and distressed about many things, Archer says, “We need to take this opportunity to listen to God, listen to each other, and learn lessons for life.”

Arlyn Coalter Arlyn Coalter was active in a church his whole life. He grew up on a farm and went to a small country church. After 10-years of farming, in 1990, Coalter decided it was time to answer God’s call to enter the ministry.

Words that frame Rev. Arlyn Coalter’s ministry journey are expertise, work ethic, commitment, and love.

Arlyn served the church of Tripp, South Dakota, in 1995, then moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, in 1996, as an associate

pastor. In 1997, he moved to serve the churches in Enderlin and Sheldon, North Dakota. After that, in 2001, he was appointed to Beulah and Hazen, North Dakota.

From 2003 to 2010, Arlyn served the churches of Arthur and Castleton. In 2011 through 2016, he was appointed to St. Paul’s UMC, Jamestown, North Dakota. He moved to serve the Hilltop United Methodist Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 2018.

“Each move is hard but always an adventure,” says Coalter.

“Being a pastor, you have the chance to meet great people and have amazing experiences.”

Randy Cross “I first listened to God’s call to me when I was eight years old. I have never changed the focus,” says Rev. Randy Cross, who currently serves as the Northeast District Superintendent of Dakotas Conference and will retire on July 1. “When I was growing up, folks would ask me, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I would say a minister. They would kind of shy away and change the conversation.”

Cross notes that he has served and cared for 62 percent of the

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churches in the Dakotas Conference as a district superintendent and supervised more than 142 pastors. His tenure as a clergy, serving in various leadership roles, beyond the local church, is perhaps one of the longest in the denomination, 17 plus years.

“Now it is time to close that door,” he says.

Cross says. “I am moving into my fourth life. My first life was growing up. My second life was serving churches. My third life was serving the denomination. Now I am ready for my fourth life. I am going to have to wait for the sun to set and see what is next. I love words. The word retirement means to withdraw. It means to go to a place of privacy, prayer, or study. I plan to do that.”

Kermit Culver As a 16-year-old, in Iroquois, South Dakota, Kermit Culver remembers hearing that he should have a personal relationship connecting him to Jesus. Culver was always involved in Methodist Church growing up.

Shortly after turning 16, Culver started entertaining the idea that he was being called to ordained ministry.

Culver’s family was supportive. “My dad did not want us to stay on the farm. He wanted each of us to figure out what we wanted to do. They knew ministry was right for me,” says Culver.

leader at Legacy UMC in Bismarck, North Dakota. It was a ministry of transition and discovery. There were some struggles to try to live into a new expression of faith that is inviting to young families.

Spiritual practices that keep Culver’s faith burning include self-examination and self-discipline. He is not sure where God is leading him but will begin by nourishing his soul. “You can ignore your own need to fuel spirituality,” he says.

After 43 years in ministry, Pastor Kermit lives with a passion and spirit of evangelism. “I love what Jesus has done for me. I don’t want to keep that to myself. I want other people to have and experience what I have.”

Reverend Culver spent 20 years of ministry as the spiritual

David Heetland David Heetland grew up on a family farm west of Montrose, South Dakota, with two brothers and a sister.

His parents valued education and encouraged a life of faith. Rev. David Heetland recalls when he was very young, a person at the church his family attended said to his parents, “One of your sons is going to be a minister.”

Church camp planted seeds for ministry. “Farm life was hard work,” says Rev. David Heetland, who serves as the Senior Vice President of Planned Giving for Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. “The highlight was going to church camp every summer.

After completing his bachelor’s degree, at the University of South Dakota, Heetland was accepted in the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at USD. In his first week of graduate school, Heetland’s advisor told him that he would need to work with monkeys, at least through his master’s degree.

As an undergraduate student, David had been involved in campus ministry at USD. So Heetland went to the campus minister, Rev. Pete Moe, to seek advice about the monkey dilemma.

“I told Pete, ‘I don’t want to work with monkeys. I want to work with people,’” says Heetland. “He looked me straight in the eye and said ‘David, you need to go to seminary.’ As soon as he said it, I knew he was right.”

Much of his 45 years in ministry has been spent in development work at Dakota Wesleyan University and GarrettEvangelical Seminary.

Heetland cites I Peter 4:10 as a wonderful summary of what he’d like his ministry to be—we are called to be good stewards of God’s varied grace. “If I had to put it in my own words, I would say we are called to be caretakers of God’s undeserved love. This has wide-ranging implications for every aspect of our lives: how we take care of our environment, our bodies, our sisters and brothers, our time, our talents, and our treasure.”

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Bill Hoffman “You can’t sit on the fence. You have to do something.” That is how Rev. Bill Hoffman describes his call and journey to ministry.

God nudged at Bill Hoffman to enter seminary twice. The first time at Westminster in Philadelphia. After two years there, he came back home and worked with his dad in the repair business.

Have you ever heard of the Missouri River Bottom Feeders?

Rev. Hoffman was a member. The Missouri River Bottom Feeders was a group of pastors, serving in the same area in southeast South Dakota, who got together to sing, play, and connect.

Hoffman gives this piece of advice to anyone answering the call to ministry. “Love people. Discipleship is at the core of what we’re about. Focus on discipleship. Focus on the important stuff.”

God nudged again, and Hoffman responded to the call into ministry. He went to North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and started serving churches while still in seminary.

Ron Johnson In 45 years of ministry Rev. Ron Johnson has been able to see how God works in awesome, diverse ways, through the people you would least expect to see in a relationship with Christ.

“I am just amazed how God comes to you. ‘Hey, pay attention! This is for you to remember that I’m here. I’ve got this and you don’t have to worry. You just have to keep following and trusting me’ God can come to people in so many ways, like a beautiful sunset,” says Johnson.

Pastor Johnson calls on everyone to remember how much God loves you and that God calls us to love one another.

“We are all called to be a vessel of His love for His people,” says Rev. Johnson.

“Healing will come in many ways, not just physically but also emotionally and socially. We have to remember that God has a path for us. We need discern that path together. Even though we may disagree with each other, that doesn’t mean we stop loving each other.”

Working with the youth of the church is a passion for Rev. Johnson. He loved talking with them and sharing with them.

Going out to breakfast and listening to youth talk about school and sports are some of his favorite youth activities.

Kris Larson

“My favorite thing to do is lead worship. That is how I serve my Lord, and I love it,” says Pastor Kris. “I thank the Lord that he persisted when I was dragging my feet. I didn’t think I could stand in front of people and preach. But people do want to listen to God’s word.”

Larson is a souther n California boy who journeyed to South Dakota, after serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War. When he returned from his service duty, his dad said he needed to do something. So, he decided to visit his

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grandparents’ farm near De Smet, South Dakota, for a couple of weeks and stayed for more than 40 years.

The time he spent in the Vietnam War was very troubling for his Catholic faith journey. Kris and Denise were married in the United Methodist Church in De Smet. He found himself, at the encouragement of his wife, involved in the United Methodist Church. Larson was the coordinator for the youth, a leader of Bible study, the chair of an administrative council, and a member of the pastor-parish relations committee.

He has served at Iroquois, in combination with several other churches, for the past twenty years.

Randy Spahr Rev. Randy Spahr has been in ordained ministry for 40 years. He attended Asbury Seminary. After that, he has served in Geddes, Parker, and Hurley, and at Evergreen in Wahpeton.

Currently, Spahr is starting his fifteenth year as a chaplain at Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo. His journey towards ministry began after reading Colossians 1:28-29, “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end, I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.”

Throughout the years, Spahr has come across many wonderful people that touched his life.

The best advice Spahr has to offer anyone is to love one another. He reminds himself each day that with God’s love, any individual can conquer anything. Spahr received some words of wisdom from Eldon Reich at Annual Conference when he was a young pastor. Words that resonate with him today. “’The greatest thing that you can do for your congregation is to love them.’ I have never forgotten that statement and have tried, with God’s help and love, to do that as well,” says Spahr.

“There are challenges and bumps in any relationship or any congregation, but God’s love can overcome anything. I have a clipping in my Bible from a devotion that talks about a farmer who had a weathervane on his barn, and on it was written ‘God is love.’ When asked why, the farmer said, ‘This is to remind me that no matter which way the wind blows, God is love.’ I have it tucked in by I John:4, and it is a good reminder for me every day.”

Roger Spahr “I have been very blessed to be where I have been and see things happen.

There are a lot more talented and gifted pastors than I am. I have been fortunate to witness and be gifted by the grace of God,” says Rev. Roger Spahr, who will retire from 42 years of ministry.

He currently serves as the Southeast District Superintendent.

He first sensed his call to ministry in grade school at Big Stone camp. “I remember the last night of camp; the leader gave an invitation and a card. The card had these choices: I want to give my life to Christ. I am feeling called to full-time ministry. I am already Christian,” says Spahr.

“I kind of was thinking I should check. I should go into full-time ministry, but I took the safe way out, and I checked that I was already Christian.”

Spahr spent 28 years serving as the pastor of what is now Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Watertown, South Dakota. When he arrived, with his wife Joan and three children—Josh, Joel, and Heidi, the church was located on Ninth Avenue. A new church was built and named Cornerstone United Methodist Church in 2002.

The Watertown congregation had an attendance of 350 in 1988 when Rev. Spahr arrived. When he left in 2016, attendance was at 850 on an average Sunday.

A key for Spahr was learning about the role of the apostle from Rev. Alan Hirsch. “I had never heard this in all of my ministry. The role of the apostle is to start a new thing. Some people, God has put on their hearts always to start new things.

Like the apostle Paul, he was always pushing the church outward. That was a life-changing concept for me. It was the call God had on my life,” he says.

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Jeff Vore Pastor Jeff Vore is a firm believer in Romans 8:28— We know that all things work together for good for those who love God. His path to ministry includes a journey of several directions with nudges from God along the way.

He grew up working around and loving animals in Ohio. He was hoping to be a veterinarian, but God had another plan in mind. Vore headed to Ohio State University, majoring in animal science with a nutrition minor. He applied to veterinary school three times but did not get accepted.

The church was not a big part of his life. As his kids got older, they began going to church more often. He felt another nudge from God. The family attended a small church that his wife and mother had thought Jeff would enjoy. They started going more and more often, and he began to put all of his free time into the church. God nudged him to do more.

Ministry has taught him to care for the children and nurture their growth and understanding in God. In his experience, many young families want a growing Sunday school program, but it is a struggle to have enough volunteers who want to be involved in children’s and youth ministry.

Steve Ziebarth Steve Ziebarth spent time ignoring God’s call to ministry and pushed it off for a long time. Many people throughout his life encouraged him to be a pastor. He grew up in Stranton, North Dakota, moved to Madison, South Dakota, when he was in high school.

He grew up with three brothers.

The family adopted a couple from Cambodia who have been a constant part of his family. His dad was a model for Steve. When Ziebarth announced that he was headed to seminary, his dad commented, “Go, go in peace and serve the Lord.” Part of his family life was devotional time, usually in the evening, spending time in prayer. “If I tried to get out of it, or if I didn’t show up. I was in trouble,” says Steve.

After high school, he headed to Dakota State University, and then the army. He returned to DSU to complete his degree in music education. He taught for five years in Canova, South Dakota, Tri-Valley School District in Colton, South Dakota, and then in Dell Rapids, South Dakota.

While teaching in Dell Rapids, South Dakota, Kathy and Steve became very involved with the United Methodist Church. Revs.

Penny and Emil Eberhart were serving the congregation and guided Steve into many leadership roles. He found himself

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trying to balance teaching music, church, and family life.

“We had just had a baby boy. I got home on Wednesday night, after going to school early in the morning to teach music lessons. Staying late at school for meetings and practices, I did not go home before heading over to church for youth ministry activities,” says Steve.” I got home at 10 p.m., and Kathy was standing at the door and did not look happy. She said, ‘you get to decide. You need to be a minister or teacher. We cannot survive to have you do both.’ That moment was pivotal.”

The next fall, the family—Kathy, Steve, a daughter, and son, packed up and headed to Iliff Seminary in Denver, Colorado.

“We got married on a Saturday. We moved to Colorado on Tuesday,’ says Steve.

The family returned to the Dakotas Conference and served the congregations of Gregory UMC, First UMC in Mitchell, South Dakota, School of Mines Campus Ministry, Southern Hills UMC in Sioux Falls, and the United Methodist Church in Canton, South Dakota.

“We were blessed to be connected with wonderful people,” says Pastor Steve. “As clergy, we are really blessed to share the best message in the world. I can’t imagine having done anything else. It has been a blessing for the past 40 years. That is why I waited until I was 71 years of age to retire. I enjoy what I do.”

Candidates Candidates for Provisional Membership

Matthew Morrison Favorite scripture verse: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” -Romans 12:1 Matt finished seminary this year and received his Master of Divinity from Sioux Falls Seminary in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He had previously been licensed as a Local Licensed Pastor in 2013 and has served the congregations of Sioux Falls Embrace

and Mitchell Fusion. Since 2017 has serving at Sioux Falls Asbury.

Matt grew up in the United Methodist Church and has always had an active part in the life of the churches he was attending. His call to ministry has found many roles and he enjoys implementing his passion for music into his service. He is married to his wife Amy, and they have two children, Xander and Maia. His hobbies include cycling, bike repair, acting, and all things music.

Joleen Pietrzak Favorite Scripture Passage: Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.’”

Joleen holds a Master of Divinity degree from Sioux Falls Seminary, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

She is also an adjunct professor at the University of South Dakota as well as an affiliate faculty at Sioux Falls Seminary. She is working on her doctorate to ministry. Joleen is presently serving the congregations at Arlington and Lake Preston. She

is appointed to continue to serve at the Arlington church.

Joleen grew up in the Methodist and Baptist traditions and has answered the call to ministry while being a member at the Yankton First UMC. She is also a trained Stephen’s minister and she has a passion for mission work with several mission trips to Haiti. Joleen has one son, Thomas.

Her hobbies include reading, walking/ hiking, USA Archery National judge and coach, and archaeology.

Candidate for Full Membership

Henry Jenkins Favorite scripture verse: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Henry holds a Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, South Carolina, and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, Orlando, Florida. In 2004, he joined the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps where he served in Florida, Colorado, South Dakota, Germany, and Texas. He currently serves as the

Deputy Wing Chaplain at Creech Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he directs spiritual care for 4,000 airmen and their families.

In 2012, he transferred his credentials to the United Methodist Church, Dakotas Conference, and became a provisional elder. He is married to his wife Michelle, and has three children, Joseph, Amber, and Jordan Elise. His hobbies are traveling, karaoke, dancing, and playing the piano.

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Welcome to this significant service of worship and celebration of ministry. We pray you may participate fully in offering praise and thanksgiving to our God for the work of the Holy Spirit.

IN ORDINATION, the Holy Spirit acts to maintain the priority of the gospel by setting apart men and women called to leadership as apostles.

The pattern for this response to the call is provided in the development of the early church. The apostles led in prayer, teaching, and preaching; ordered the spiritual and temporal life of the community; established leadership for the ministry of service; and provided for the proclamation of the gospel to new people and in new places. The early church, through the laying on of hands, set apart people with responsibility to preach, to teach, to administer the sacraments, to nurture, to heal, to gather the community in worship, and to send them forth in witness. The church also set apart other people to care for the physical needs of others, reflecting the concerns for the people of the world.

Ordination to this ministry is a gift from God to the church. In ordination, the church affirms and continues the apostolic ministry through people empowered by the Holy Spirit.

ACTS OF ORDINATION AND COMMISSIONING are anchored in the sacrament of baptism and the ministry of the baptized. All baptized Christians respond as “the priesthood of all believers,” and so, as we begin, we reaffirm our baptism together.

COMMISSIONING may be compared to the experience of the early church in Antioch as the Holy Spirit instructed the community to “set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:2, NRSV). As provisional members are commissioned, we acknowledge and affirm God’s call and the individual’s response, gifts, and training for leadership in the local church and community. We offer our support for their continuing formation as each one journeys toward ordination and full membership in the conference.

ORDINATION is understood as the act of the Holy Spirit and, as a liturgical rite, the culmination of a process in which representatives of the whole church discern and validate the call, gifts and effectiveness for ministry. Ordination of deacons and elders is both to an office and for a lifetime. Ordination confers a new identity in the life of the church as well as authority for ministry. This identity is claimed in relation to Christ and his call to leadership and service with the baptized for the life of the world. Upon ordination, deacons and elders become accountable to the whole church, to the community of the ordained, and to the order of deacons or elders of which they are a part.

THE LAYING ON OF HANDS, referenced in Timothy 1:6, indicates the sign of calling on God’s Holy Spirit to bestow the gift of grace for ministry. Commissioned people are blessed on the shoulders as a sign of being sent into ministry for a specified period of time. They kneel facing the congregation as a sign that they are sent into the congregation for continued formation and service before ordination. In ordination, a bishop lays hands on the head of the candidate as a sign of the gifts of the Holy Spirit for a lifetime of ministry. The ordinands kneel facing the bishop as a sign that they are sent and supported by the congregation into a lifetime of service. The whole church affirms together with “Amen” to indicate recognition, gratitude, and commitment to the work of the Holy Spirit. The privilege of sharing in ministry with all in Christ’s holy church is celebrated by the inclusion of an ecumenical representative to share in the laying on of hands.

INSTRUMENTS AND SYMBOLS for the ordering of ministry are represented for the distinct orders. The Bible is common to all orders of Christ’s ministry. Commissioned ministers wear no stole. The ministry of the deacon is symbolized by the basin, pitcher, and towel, representing servant ministry. The deacon’s stole, worn over the left shoulder, across the body, symbolizes the servant’s towel. The ministry of the elder is symbolized by the chalice (cup) and paten (plate), representing the sacrament of Holy Communion. The elder’s stole, yoked at the neck, hanging straight down, symbolizes the yoking with Jesus Christ. The bishop’s instrument of ministry is the crozier, or shepherd’s staff, symbolizing the pastoral leadership of Christ and his flock. Like all Christians, licensed local pastors may wear a scapular, which represents the servant’s apron, and a pectoral cross.

OFFERING taken this evening will support the Ministerial Education Fund, which provides scholarships to seminary students and continuing education funds for clergy.

Dakotas Conference The United Methodist Church